Authorities in our neighboring state of New Mexico arrested a child rape suspect who was caught with fly undone and 6 kids in his vehicle.
Details are just now coming out about a case that occurred a year ago. In July of 2022, Albuquerque, New Mexico police pulled over what they assumed was a drunk driving suspect. However, what they were able to uncover was a shocking situation involving one of the underage girls in his vehicle. What police believe they were just removing a drunk driver from the road, led to child rape charges for allegedly molesting one of his passengers.
Police pulled over Jeremy Guthrie, 42, after they observed he was swerving across the road. In police bodycam video, it shows Guthrie failing a field sobriety test and slurring his speech as he speaks with officers during the stop.
As seen in the video, after the state trooper asks for his license, the driver, Guthrie fumbles around his driver’s seat. While the officer waits, he flashes his light into the vehicle and sees a backseat full of minors, he returns his attention to Guthrie where he still hasn’t provided his identification.
The trooper is heard on the video saying to Guthrie, “There’s your wallet right there between your legs.”
“Oh, sorry, I was a little bit nervous,” Guthrie replies.
During the officer’s questioning he counts off six children in the car and asked the driver, “Who are these kids to you?”
“They’re just my friends,” the driver slurs.
The officer continues, “That’s your friend? How old’s your friend?”
“Eighteen?” Guthrie responds.
The trooper sneers, “That girl’s not 18.”
When Guthrie steps out of his vehicle for the field sobriety test, the officer asks why his fly was unzipped.
The suspect says, “Well, I probably just forgot.”
As expected by officers, Guthrie failed the field sobriety tests, however, DUI charges were only the beginning of his legal issues.
According to New Mexico’s Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, there were six children in the car. Driving under the influence, he was also charged with abuse of a child.
During the police investigation, one of the girls informed authorities Guthrie had sexually abused her. Based on statements from the child and corroborating evidence Guthrie was arrested and now faces additional charges included 10 counts of criminal sexual penetration of a minor, three counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of false imprisonment.
The children all called their parents to be picked at the scene as they were processing Guthrie.
Guthrie has been held without bond at Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque since July 2022. Guthrie is due back in court in November.